Chevy Silverado, GMC Sierra Power Steering Problems Lawsuit Investigation

Attorneys working with ClassAction.org are investigating whether a class action lawsuit can be filed on behalf of newer model Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra owners and lessees in light of reports of power steering problems.

It’s possible that General Motors knows about the issue—which could present a safety hazard should power steering fail while a vehicle is in motion­—but is choosing not to recall the cars or otherwise fix the problem.

Drivers of GMC Sierras, Chevy Silverados Report Power Steering Issues

A handful of complaints have been posted online from drivers who say they’ve experienced GMC Sierra or Chevy Silverado power steering problems. A sampling of these posts can be seen below [sic throughout, emphasis ours]:

My 2021 Chevy Silverado Service ESC  & Service Power Steering Drive Lights comes on and  then eventually goes off.  It comes on while driving or just parked.  One the lights comes on the steering wheel usually locks up first, then allows you to turn (but using a lot of muscles).  I almost [had] several wrecks because it came on while driving and I could barely turn or steer…”
— Carla C., 2021 Chevy Silverado driver, GM-Trucks.com

I had just driven about 550 miles in the previous 1.5 days. We stop for dinner, come out and start my truck. The Service Power Steering and Service ESC light up the dash like a Christmas tree. Driving with no electric steer is both difficult and dangerous. But I limped it about 2 miles to our hotel…”
—loud_pipes, 2020 GMC Sierra,  SilveradoSierra.com

I have a 2021 GMC sierra 1500 AT4, Duramax 3.0L. Sat. the 11th while leaving my grandsons Baseball tournament I had the same problem. I started the truck, no power steering, service soon and the ESC light was on. I cycled the engine 3 times and still no power steering. I tried driving out of the parking lot but it was very difficult, not like the old cars before power steer, much worse, I stopped and called for my daughter to come get the kids. It was [too] dangerous to have them in the truck if I was going to drive it 20 miles back…”
— newell.helvie, 2021 GMC Sierra driver, SilveradoSierra.com

My power steering stopped working Friday on my way to work, luckily I was in a straight away and it was 3am so there was no traffic. After about 2 hours, it kinda started working again but it was still a little hard and it felt like grinding. Took it to the dealer and my warranty won’t cover the issue because I have 44k miles on my truck, the limit was 35k.”
—  Electrical_Program21, 2022 GMC Sierra driver, reddit.com

I had it happen to my 2022 Silverado 1500. Went into a store, came out and started vehicle...got the ESC and power steering warnings, took some effort to get out of the parking lot. Drove straight to Chevy dealer and pitched a fit...since the truck is 1 month old and has 1000 miles showing. It's been 3 days, and it is still in the shop.”
— biker4jc21, 2022 Chevy Silverado driver, SilveradoSierra.com

Has There Been a Sierra or Silverado Power Steering Recall?

Yes, but only for certain model years. In 2018, General Motors issued a recall for more than one million vehicles, including certain 2015 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra trucks, over concerns the power steering could stop working due to an electrical or software issue. The GMC and Chevy power steering recall notice states that the cars could experience, within a one-second period, a loss and sudden return of electronic power steering (EPS), especially during low-speed turning maneuvers.

According to Consumer Reports, GM said this problem is related to the same electrical issue that led to the recall of more than 690,000 2014 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra 1500 trucks in August 2017 over a possible loss of steering.

It appears that no comprehensive GMC or Chevy power steering recall has been issued for newer model years of the Sierra and Silverado; however, GM did issue a recall in August 2023 for certain 2024 Chevrolet Silverados and GMC Sierras to address a defect that could result in the fracture of the steering gear shaft and cause the steering arm to disconnect. According to the recall notice, drivers would be “unable to steer…increasing the risk of a crash.”

How Could a Power Steering Lawsuit Help?

A class action lawsuit for GMC and Chevy power steering problems could help drivers recover money for any prior repairs and loss of vehicle value. It could also force General Motors to offer a free fix to vehicles affected by the power steering problems.

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